Summary of HSB 333 (renumbered HF 1047)
Overview
- Purpose: The bill focuses on prison infrastructure funding and planning, establishing a dedicated funding stream for constructing new prisons or replacing infrastructure at existing prisons, and initiating an interim study on prison capacity and housing options.
- Status: Committee report approved; renumbered as HF 1047. Introduced April 24, 2025. Subcommittee and committee actions occurred in April–May 2025.
- Primary sponsors/arcs: Referred to Appropriations; Subcommittee and Committee actions completed with a positive recommendation.
Key Provisions
- Infrastructure financing bonds and new account
- If infrastructure financing bonds for the Iowa state penitentiary (Fort Madison) are paid off, an amount equal to the bond payments made in FY 2024-2025 must be deposited annually (FY 2025-2026 onward) into a new prison construction account within the IPI fund (Code 602.8108A).
- Deposits are restricted to use pursuant to an appropriation by the General Assembly for:
- Construction of new prisons, or
- Replacement of infrastructure at existing prisons.
- Money in the new account does not revert at year-end and is not deposited into the state general fund (unlike other IPI fund monies).
IPI fund and revenue sources
- The IPI fund receives moneys (fines, fees, costs, and forfeited bail) collected by clerks of the district court in criminal cases.
- The bill creates a dedicated, non-reverting reservoir within the IPI fund specifically for prison infrastructure purposes.
Repeal and reporting changes
- Repeals the FY 2009 prison bonding fund (Code section 12.79).
- Moves the infrastructure project reporting requirement for the Department of Corrections from the repealed section to Code chapter 904 (DOC).
Interim study on capacity and housing
- Establishes an interim study committee (via Legislative Council) to examine prison capacity and the feasibility of an additional prison or other housing options.
- The committee is instructed to consider factors outlined in the bill.
- Report due to the General Assembly and the Governor on or before December 18, 2025.
Affected entities and impacts
- State government and fiscal planning:
- Creates a dedicated, non-reverting funding stream for prison infrastructure within the IPI fund.
- Requires legislative appropriation for approved infrastructure projects.
- Repeals a prior bonding fund, simplifying reporting requirements by moving them to Chapter 904.
- Department of Corrections:
- Reporting requirements shifted to a new chapter; broader planning for capacity and housing options may influence future construction priorities.
- Legislature and governance:
- Interim study provides data and recommendations to inform future infrastructure decisions.
Timeline and next steps
- Introduced: April 24, 2025
- Subcommittee: April 30–May 1, 2025
- Committee action: May 12, 2025 (Yeas 24, Nays 1)
- Renumbered: HF 1047 (Committee report approving bill)
- Interim study due: December 18, 2025
Notes
- Version text references Fort Madison-based infrastructure bonds and ties future deposits to bond payoff status.
- The bill does not authorize new debt by itself; it structures funding from existing IPI-derived resources subject to future appropriations.
